Florence M. Jewell, 92, “Shirley” to those who knew her, of Burlington, passed away of pneumonia on Sept. 9, 2017 at the hospital in Sedro-Woolley with her family nearby.

She was born and raised in Canon City, Colo., second daughter to Neal and Stella Shirley (Moss). She had one sister, Mary Jo Hoadley (Cheyenne, Wyo.) and three brothers, Tom and Kenny (Boise, Idaho) and Les (Kalispell, Mont.).

She moved to Meridian, Idaho, her junior year in high school to live with her brother Tom and graduated in 1944. While at Meridian High she met the love of her life, James L. Jewell (son of Dr. Leo and Susan Jewell). Within weeks of Jim’s return home from WWII in 1945, they were married and remained happily married for 70 years, until Jim’s death in 2016 at age 92.

A professional seamstress throughout her life, she managed fabric stores and worked out of her home for many years, sewing for others. She was well known for her immaculate attention to detail by all her clients and family. Sewing beautiful clothes for her daughter was a constant. Her passion in life, however, was her family and she was the glue, the rock that held the family together always.

She was the bookkeeper and partner in her husband’s many business ventures, including Jewell &Son Logging and Burlington and Bellingham video stores.

Their businesses and Jim’s work as an air traffic controller for the government entailed frequent moves. Mom always made each house feel like a beloved home. Upon retirement, they enjoyed snow birding to Palm Desert for many years with friends.

She was a sweet, gentle soul with a wry sense of humor that her family adored. Always doing for others and rarely for herself, she was a woman of grace and substance. Dad, we all got lucky! Mom, you are forever missed beyond any words. We will always cherish our incredible memories with you.

Florence (aka Shirley) is survived by her son Rick Jewell; daughter Cheryl Jewell-Wos (Tom); grandchildren Adam Jewell (Tara), Colleen Jewell, Rebecca Jewell-Ocepek (Ryan); great-grandchildren Andrew and Marcos Jewell, Aidan and Lily Ocepek; sister-in-law Norma Jewell (Boise, Idaho); Steven Hoadley (Eddie) of Cheyenne, Wyo., and other extended family.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 with lunch provided directly thereafter at Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.

Please share your memories of Mom in the online guestbook at www.hawthornefh.com

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.